Carrefour Italia exported Italian products worth €1.15 billion in 2023, up 44% from €800 million three years ago, according to CEO Christophe Rabatel.
Speaking during the 'Carrefour for Made in Italy' event in Assago (Milan), he said that the strong growth is the result of the collaboration with Italian agricultural suppliers and farm association Coldiretti.
Carrefour Italia works with over 10,000 Italian producers, of which 8,500 supply Filiera Qualità Carrefour branded products, around 200 Terre d'Italia products, and over 1,300 local and regional ones.
The products were distributed through Carrefour Italia's network of 1,500 outlets spread across 19 Italian regions.
Commercial director Bruno Moro added that Carrefour Italia's private-label sales account for 31% of the food sector turnover and that 85% of private-label suppliers are Italian.
Italian Exports
In terms of exports, fruits, vegetables, and wine are particularly popular, with grapes, watermelons, oranges, peaches, and courgettes finding their way to European nations like France, Belgium, Poland, Romania, and Spain, as well as in Arab and Asian markets (Taiwan).
Italian wine exports grew 99% to €60 million in 2023, up from €30.7 million in 2022. Contributing to the strong growth was the decision to make Carrefour Italia the central hub for Carrefour Group's wine exports in 2022.
Sustainability is a key priority for Carrefour Italia. "Every September, we join forces with over 55 local and national producers to promote (or advocate for) sustainable food production practices. We believe large-scale distributors like ourselves can act as a bridge between producers, the industry, and consumers to create a more sustainable system", added Moro.
Carrefour Italia is also part of the global Food Transition Pact and cooperates with Italian associations and organisations like Filiera Italia and Filiera Agricola Italiana to promote Italian products and sustainable practices.
